| RAPPED | Criticised for being absorbed, so we hear (6) |
| SLATED | Severely criticised for being wrongly salted (6) |
| STORMY | Maiden being absorbed in tale that's wild (6) |
| INTAKE | Group of students, say, being absorbed (6) |
| TIRADE | String of invectives from traffic island being absorbed |
| PANNED | Criticised for having followed with a camera (6) |
| IRVINE | Lord ___, Labour politician criticised for the cost of his 10 4 (6) |
| CITRIC | No side criticised for half-time acid hit (6) |
| RUNOFF | Rainwater which drains into rivers rather than being absorbed into the soil (3,3) |
| BERCOW | John ___, former Commons speaker criticised for the cost of his apartment refurbishment in 2009 (6) |
| TURNEDON | Suddenly criticised for being aroused (6,2) |
| BLASTED | Severely criticised for being the biggest night owl, figuratively (7) |
| CUTUP | Criticised for being divided (3,2) |
| ENIDBLYTON | Tiny blonde novel writer criticised for being dumb |
| NOTHING | An hour being absorbed, observing a duck |
| AEROSPACE | Resentful about being absorbed by swiftly high-flying business? |
| OCTET | Group takes time in church being absorbed in scripture |
| OVERTHECOUNTER | Public watch English business being absorbed, sold quite legally |
| SOUTHPORT | Young people avoiding Head being absorbed by golf, perhaps, here? (9) |
| ABSORBABLE | Capable of being absorbed |
